Supervisor Responsibilities

Supervisors of student workers have the opportunity to teach lessons not found in
a college classroom. In the best student work programs, supervisors understand what
values may be gained through work experience, and they do their best to ensure that
students understand and develop the skills and traits that will complement their academic
program. Taking responsibility for a part-time job under effective supervision enhances
employment options after graduation.

Work helps prepare a student for modern office culture, and promote constructive employer/employee
relationships. Students express ingenuity and creativity, as they are encouraged to
make improvements in their job situation. Working students also develop good habits
such as consistency, dependability, cooperation, tact and poise, and learn responsibility
through meeting work schedules and quality requirements. Students are often able to
find jobs that relate to their academic subjects, which further fosters new interests
and abilities.

Supervisors, then, have two responsibilities: concern for the development of the student
as a employee, and also for the employee as a student. The best supervisors treat
their student workers as individuals, and understand that student workers have other
interests and responsibilities. They make the work of the student seem interesting,
significant, and worthwhile to both supervisor and student.

Implications for Supervision

The fact that students’ primary goal is their academics does not excuse irresponsibility,
but some flexibility in work schedules may be necessary.

Students are most effective when their work is defined in terms of projects or tasks.
When a student is given a specific task defined by objectives and turned loose with
the resources and guidance to pursue it, he or she will almost always out-produce
students in more traditional settings.

By understanding the dual role of employer/educator, the supervisor can be instrumental
in assisting a student in his or her developmental growth.

Students may be an invaluable resource for innovative and creative ideas for change
or improvement.

Roles and Responsibilities

Expectations

Make position and employment expectations clear and in writing.

Establish Policies

Establish internal policies and communicate them to the student employees to ensure
that all employees understand the office rules.

Training

Train students to successfully carry out the duties and responsibilities of their
job and supply any other information they may need. (i.e. line of authority, where
and how to report absences, breaks, schedule changes, etc.)

Inform

Keep students informed of any changes in procedure, scheduling, or working conditions.

Coordinate Work Schedule

Work with student employees to ensure school and work schedules complement each other.
If you set the work schedules, allow time before/during/after work for students to
eat, arrive at next class on time, etc.

Report Hours

See that each student's work hours are reported accurately and on time. Monitor the
work study allocation for each work study student you employ to prevent overpayment.

Assignments

Be prepared for students' daily arrival and have work tasks ready.

Consistency

Treat all student employees with the same respect and have the same expectations of
everyone.

Discipline

Correct inappropriate behavior as soon as possible. Explain why the behavior was inappropriate
or incorrect and how to remedy the situation. Try to resolve any problems pertaining
to job performance or working relations at the time of the incident.

Develop a good supervisor/student relationship among student employees. This is not
a "friendly" or "parental" relationship, but a professional association intended to
foster mutual trust, respect, and a genuine interest in meeting the goals of the student,
department, and the University.